Toilet Seat Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A toilet seat cleaner built into a hollow toilet interior and left and right hollow wing portions. One wing contains a cleaning solution and venturi valve. The other wing contains a forced air assembly. The perimeter of the top of the seat includes a raised portion having water and air outlet apertures. When the toilet is flushed, pressurized water to flows into the venturi valve and into an enclosed channel within the seat causing cleaning solution to be drawn into the stream of water and forced out of the water outlet apertures. When cleaning is complete, the forced air assembly forces into the channel and out of the air outlet apertures. The cleaning action is started when a flow sensor sees that the toilet has been flushed. The toilet seat is hinged and can be lifted in the same way as a standard toilet seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of bathroom toilets andmore specifically to a toilet seat having a built-in cleaning and dryingassembly.

The use of raised toilets in bathrooms has been available to people indeveloped countries for over one hundred years. A standard toiletconsists of a toilet bowl that holds water, a rear hinged toilet seatwhich the user sits on when wanting to defecate or for females—urinate,and a rear hinged lid which can cover the seat and toilet bowl when notin use.

Toilet seats can become unclean in short periods of time, depending onfrequency of use and cleanliness of the users. Therefor it isadvantageous to clean the seat top as often as possible. Some attemptshave been made to develop self-cleaning seats such as those found in thefollowing patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 694,119 (issued in 1902) shows a seat cleaner thatincludes a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning solution and a brushmechanism for drying the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,160,963 shows a seat disinfecting device where the fumesof a cleaning compound escape from apertures that are in close proximityto the folded-up seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,512,174 discloses a brush assembly that can be slidaround the perimeter of the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,246 shows a seat cleaner where the seat is caused torotate so that each section of the seat passes by a stationary cleaningassembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,018 discloses a design where a cleaning brushassembly is positioned in the seat lid, and when folded down, cleans theseat.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,899 shows a self-cleaning seat that can rotate on acircular track where a liquid cleaning device extends over a segment ofthe seat. The whole seat is cleaned as the seat rotates around thetrack.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,105 discloses another version of the seat rotatingaround horizontally past a stationary cleaning device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,549 shows a cleaning device built into the toiletseat lid. When the lid is lowered, liquid cleaner and fan dryer operateto clean and dry the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,509,693 discloses a toilet cleaning apparatus where theseat has a cavity that has a motor and pully and belt that cleans theseat with a cleaning pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,486 uses ultraviolet light to disinfect the toiletseat.

However, there are deficiencies in the prior art in that none of thedesigns shows an easy to use seat cleaning device that is built into thetoilet seat in such a way that the top portion of the seat can beautomatically and easily cleaned and where the seat itself can be hingedand lifted the same way as a standard seat can. Additionally, none ofthe prior patents shows the ability to operate the electrical portionsof the invention with a removable and rechargeable battery. Finally,none of the prior patents show the idea of using water from the exitingwater inlet pipe, or the idea of detecting water movement duringflushing to turn on the cleaning mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleanerthat is built into and around the structure of the seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner thatautomatically cleans and dries the top portion of the toilet seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner thatis built into the seat where the seat can be lifted as can be done withstandard toilets.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleanerthat also blow dries the seat after being cleaned with a liquidsolution.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner thatuses the pressurized water from a standard bathroom water outlet bib toproduce an energetic cleaning action.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a toilet seat cleaner comprising: a hollow toilet seat havingleft and right oriented hollow wing portions, a toilet seat base panel,a cleaning solution reservoir, a forced air assembly, a solenoid valve,a pressure switch, a venturi valve, a Y junction housing having tubularlegs, a plurality of connecting hoses, a plurality of LEDs, a water flowsensor, a microprocessor, and a power cord and plug, said toilet seatbase panel enclosing said hollow portion of said hollow toilet seat,said hollow toilet seat top surface having a raised perimeter portionthat includes a plurality of inwardly facing air and liquid outlets,said hollow toilet seat also having an internal enclosed channel alignedwith said raised perimeter portion capable of transporting forced air orliquid, said left hollow wing containing said liquid reservoir and saidventuri valve, said right hollow wing containing said forced airassembly, said pressure switch located on the front lower portion ofsaid toilet seat base panel, said solenoid valve enclosed within a saidY junction housing, the lower tubular leg of said Y junction housingattachable to a standard bathroom water outlet bib, the upper lefttubular leg of said Y junction attached to a said connecting hose thatleads to the water reservoir portion of a standard toilet, the upperright tubular leg of said Y junction attached to a said connecting hosethat leads to said solenoid valve, said Y junction also including awater flow sensor, water exiting said standard water outlet bib beingallowed to flow either when said flow sensor senses that the toilet hasbeen flushed, or when said pressure switch has been activated due to theweight of the user being lifted from said toilet seat, said liquidcleaning reservoir exit port connected to said venturi valve, saidsolenoid valve connected at one side to said water inlet hose and on theopposite side to said venturi valve, said liquid cleaning reservoircontaining cleaning solution that is drawn into the center portion ofsaid venturi valve so that when pressurized water flows through saidventuri valve, said cleaning solution is drawn into the stream, throughsaid enclosed channel and out of said inwardly facing air and liquidoutlets, said forced air assembly being turned on after said cleaningsolution has cleaned the top surface of said toilet seat, saidmicroprocessor controlling the time period that said solenoid valve isopen and controlling the time that said forced air assembly isoperating, said power cord and plug capable of plugging into 110 VACpower to supply power to said solenoid valve, said forced air assemblyand other electronic components, a portion of said LEDs placed on theouter perimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing a glowaround the perimeter of said toilet seat, and another portion of saidLEDs placed on the inner perimeter of the underside of said toilet seatcausing the interior of a toilet to be illuminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention mounted on astandard toilet bowl pedestal.

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the invention mounted on astandard toilet bowl pedestal.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the seat portion lifted up via rearhinges.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the liquid cleaner bottleabout to be inserted into the left side wing of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the liquid cleaner bottle inside the leftside wing of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the right side of the inventionshowing the forced air wing of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the air and liquid exitapertures on the perimeter of the seat.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the seat.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the underside of the seat withthe bottom cover panel removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a front perspective view of the toiletseat assembly 100 mounted on a standard toilet bowl 22. A standard lid 6is hinged 8 in the standard fashion so that it can close over seatportion 2. The seat 2 has integral left and right hollow wings 12, 10.The left wing 12 houses a cleaning solution bottle 34 and a venturivalve 36 as will be shown in the section view in FIG. 5. The right-sidewing 10 houses a forced air assembly such as a motorized fan or an aircompressor not shown. It also may house a heating element that warms thestream of air as it makes its way onto the surface of seat 2 during thedrying process. The standard water bib 14 and bib hose 15 lead to a Yjunction box 16 which houses a solenoid valve that can allow water toenter hose 20. The sheath around hose 20 also can contain a flexibleheating element that can warm the incoming water as it is used forliquid cleaning purposes. If needed, a water pump, not shown, can beadded to hose 20 to further increase the pressure of water andassociated cleaning solution that will be used in the seat cleaningprocess. Standard hose 18 leads to the toilet water reservoir 24. Waterfrom hose 18 is used in the standard way to refill reservoir 24 afterthe toilet is flushed by a user. A flow control sensor, not shown, isalso installed within Y junction housing 16 and senses when the water inhose 18 is flowing and sends a signal to a microprocessor located inhollow wing 12 which starts the cleaning and drying process, which willbe discussed below. A second optional way to start the cleaning processuses pressure switch 30, shown in FIG. 3. When a person sits on seat 2,the switch 30 is pressed down. The act of pressing down switch 30 causesthe heater 46, shown in FIG. 9 to warm up thereby providing acomfortable experience for the user. When the person rises from seat 2,the switch 30 is deactivated thereby sending a signal to amicroprocessor located within wing 12 to start the cleaning process. Athird optional way to start the cleaning process is for a person topress switch button 52. This option can be used when the person is notactually using the toilet but still wants to clean the seat. A raisedperimeter ring 4 on the outer edge of the seat 2 includes a plurality ofoutlet apertures that can let cleaning solution or forced air out ontothe surface of seat 2 as will be discussed below. A standard proximitysensor mounted to the underside panel 32 can detect when the seat 2 isin the down position or the up position based on its closeness to thetop surface of bowl 22. That information is sent to the microprocessor.The microprocessor will only let the cleaning process take place whenthe seat is in the down position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet seat assembly 100 showing theright side where forced air wing 10 is in view. The hollow housing 10encloses a forced air assembly. A power cord 26 plugs into a standard110 VAC outlet 28 to power the electrical components of the invention.Alternately, a removable and replaceable rechargeable battery 38 asshown in its removed state in FIG. 6 can power the electronic componentsof the invention 100.

FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the invention with the seatportion lifted via hinge members 8 exposing the underside panel 32 ofthe seat 2 which includes pressure switch 30. The seat 2 in the upposition allows the toilet to be used by men to urinate into the bowl 22in the standard way.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention 100 showing thecleaning solution bottle 34 removed from the cleaning solution wing 12.The bottle's tip includes a check valve that can be overcome when thetip is inserted into venturi valve 36 as shown in the section view inFIG. 5. When pressurized water flows through valve 36 the water flowdraws a portion of cleaning solution 35 into the stream. A photo sensor,not shown, is located near the lower portion of the cleaning solutioncontainer 34. When the cleaning solution 35 reaches the level of thephoto sensor, a signal is sent to the microprocessor to initiate anintermittent warning beep to let the user know that it is time to addmore cleaning solution.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention 100 showing theremoval of optional battery power supply 38.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the invention 100 showing theapertures 40 that let liquid or air out for cleaning and drying the seat4. The apertures 40 are inwardly pointing so that the liquid falls intothe toilet bowl 22 after cleaning the seat. The raised perimeter portion4 is hollow underneath creating a channel for the liquid or air to passthrough as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a view of the underside of seat 2with the bottom panel 32 removed exposing channel 44. Cleaning solutionenters the channel 44 at location 44B. Forced air enters the channel 44at location 44A. The underside panel 32 of the seat 2 completes thechannel 44 enclosure thereby creating a liquid and air retaining tube.The view in FIG. 9 also shows an optional heating element 46 that canwarm the seat 2 during use.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the underside 32 panel of the seat 2.The underside panel 32 includes a plurality of LEDs 42 on the outerperimeter of panel 32 and a plurality of LEDs 48 on the inner perimeterof seat 2. The outer LEDs 42 cause a glowing effect between the seatpanel 32 and the toilet bowl 22 when the seat 2 is in the down position.The inner perimeter LEDs 48 are aimed into the water in the toilet bowl22 making it easier to see the water during darkened conditions. A photosensor, not shown, detects the ambient light conditions in the areaaround the toilet and sends a signal to the microprocessor to turn onthe LEDs 42, 44.

It should be noted that the above invention can be built into a completetoilet rather than a toilet seat. The solution containing area andforced air area can be located in the rear of the seat, between the seatand the toilet reservoir. Although the power cord is shown exiting theright side forced air housing, it can also be made to exit the left sidecleaner solution housing. Excess cord may be stored within either theforced air housing or the cleaning solution housing, or the spacebetween the two housings. The above described invention can be used inbathrooms located in a home or used in commercial locations such asrestaurants or offices.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Toilet seat cleaner comprising: a hollow toiletseat having left and right oriented hollow wing portions; a toilet seatbase panel; a cleaning solution reservoir; a forced air assembly; asolenoid valve; a pressure switch; a venturi valve; a Y junction housinghaving tubular legs; a plurality of connecting hoses; a plurality ofLEDs; a water flow sensor; a microprocessor; a power cord and plug; saidtoilet seat base panel enclosing said hollow portion of said hollowtoilet seat; said hollow toilet seat top surface having a raisedperimeter portion that includes a plurality of inwardly facing air andliquid outlets; said hollow toilet seat also having an internal enclosedchannel aligned with said raised perimeter portion capable oftransporting forced air or liquid; said left hollow wing containing saidliquid reservoir and said venturi valve; said right hollow wingcontaining said forced air assembly and said rechargeable battery; saidpressure switch located on the front lower portion of said toilet seatbase panel; said solenoid valve enclosed within a said Y junctionhousing; the lower tubular leg of said Y junction housing attachable toa standard bathroom water outlet bib; the upper left tubular leg of saidY junction attached to a said connecting hose that leads to the waterreservoir portion of a standard toilet; the upper right tubular leg ofsaid Y junction attached to a said connecting hose that leads to saidsolenoid valve; said Y junction also including a water flow sensor;water exiting said standard water outlet bib being allowed to floweither when said flow sensor senses that the toilet has been flushed, orwhen said pressure switch has been activated due to the weight of theuser being lifted from said toilet seat; said liquid cleaning reservoirexit port connected to said venturi valve; said solenoid valve connectedat one side to said water inlet hose and on the opposite side to saidventuri valve; said liquid cleaning reservoir containing cleaningsolution that is drawn into the center portion of said venturi valve sothat when pressurized water flows through said venturi valve, saidcleaning solution is drawn into the stream, through said enclosedchannel and out of said inwardly facing air and liquid outlets; saidforced air assembly being turned on after said cleaning solution hascleaned the top surface of said toilet seat; said microprocessorcontrolling the time period that said solenoid valve is open andcontrolling the time that said forced air assembly is operating; saidpower cord and plug capable of plugging into 110 VAC power to supplypower to said solenoid valve, said forced air assembly and otherelectronic components; a portion of said LEDs placed on the outerperimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing a glow around theperimeter of said toilet seat; and another portion of said LEDs placedon the inner perimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing theinterior of a toilet to be illuminated.
 2. A toilet seat cleaner asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible heating pad that wrapsaround said water hose that travels from said solenoid valve to saidventuri valve causing said cleaning solution to be warm when in cleaningmode.
 3. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 further comprisinga heating element that resides in the hollow portion of said toilet seatcausing said toilet seat to become warm during use.
 4. A toilet seatcleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said forced air assembly includesa fan and a heating element capable of blowing hot air onto the surfaceof said toilet seat.
 5. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1wherein said toilet seat is hinged at the rear in the same way as astandard toilet seat and is capable of being lifted in the same way as astandard toilet seat.
 6. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1further comprising a rechargeable battery to power said electricalcomponents in place of said 110 VAC power.
 7. A toilet seat cleaner asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a push button switch allowing aperson to manually engage the said liquid cleaning and air-dryingfunctions.